Improvement in curtain-fixtures



UNITED STATES PATEN ErrcEo GEORGE W'. BEERS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN CURTiN-FIXTURES.

Speccation forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,065, dated June 16, 1ST/l; application filed Jarnary 17,1374.

To all whom .it may concern:

y Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BEERs, of Bridgeport, in the county ofFairti eld and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and valuablelmprovement in Curtain-Rollers; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l ofthe drawing is a representation of a top view of my curtaiirroller. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are detail views.

This invention has relation to curtain-rollers which are acted on by springs for rolling up the curtains, and which a-re provided with.

-to receive said central tace-ratchet, and extending by the wall of said recess into the circular channel ofthe roller-head 5 the springpawl let into said post-head, and pivoted by a pin having a bearing at each end close to the plane of the ratchet; and the rollersllaft, Y

having a screw-extension to engage with a threaded aperture in said post-head, for tightening the annular bearing, all as hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A represents a curtain-roller, which is a cylindrical tube of metal, having iianged heads a b, and a shaft, B, passing centrally through it, which shaft has its end bearings in two posts, C D. Inside of this roller Afand secured to it at one end, and to the shaft B at the opposite end, is a helical spring, S. One end of the shaft B is madewith a square wrenchseat, a, and fitted into the post C, the other end z being pro; vided with a screw-extension, and screwed into the chamber-ed head of the post D, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be observed that this shaft is capable of longitudinal and ro tary adjustment, although when adjusted it may be considered as xed in its relation to the roller A, for the square socket '1f in the of this head is formed a cylindrical recess, e

post C serves to hold the squared end ofthe shaft securely, preventing the shaft from turn.- in g. In the ianged roller-head bis formed an annular concentric channel, n', into its outer face, leaving a raised central portion between this channel and the shaft-bearing', which is serrated radially to form the face-ratchet u,

which is designed to engage with the pawl in the post-head o. The head c of the post D is oflarge size, and spherical form. This form is shown as it presents no corners to wear the edge of a curtain should it overrun the iiange of the roller-head, as frequently happens when it is not properly hung. Into the inner side of large diameter, equal to that ofthe circularZ channel a of the roller-head, into which the fiange or wall of said recess its, forming a stron g j ournal-bearin g, which relieves the bearing on the shaft, and at the samev time an end bearing, which is kept in engagement by the spring S. Into the recess c extends the central face-ratchet n, in such a manner that it is hidden from sight, and the noise of the pawl in passing over its teeth is, to a great extent, smothered. As the teeth are large and stron g, this is an importantfeature. Near the screwhole o, which is threaded, is formed a socket, for the reception of a small spring, s, the end of which bears against a shoulder, 1"', formed on the back of the pawl g, near its bearing end,

land serves to keep it in engagement. The

pawl g is angular in its form, and iiat from side to side. It is pivoted in the recess in the head c by means ofthe pin fi, which has a bearing in the metal of the head at each end, making a very strong connection. This pawl is applied by its bearing end within the recess in engagement with the face-ratchetLso that its noise is smothered; and its power end is extended through a slot, i', in the wall of the recess in the post-head, and provided with an eye or other device for the attachment of an operating-cord. The pawl g is pivoted, it is apparent, eccentrically with reference to the axis ofthe post-head c, and near as possible to the faceratchet. Being thus situated nearly in the direction of pressure, prevented from bending by the recess or slot wall, and having its fulcrum secured by a bearing at each end, it is admirably adapted to withstand the irregular and jerking strain to which it is sub jected.

By this invention it will be observed that I am enabled to use a large spherical head capable of being recessed and slotted without being weakened, and at the same time keep said head within the limited lateral space usually provided in a window-frame for its attachment. The pawl and ratchet are kept fro m sight, and to a great extent from hearing, the noise of their contact being smothered in the recessed head. The bearings of both pawl and ratchet are made strong and firm 5 the end bearing of the roller against the ratchet-head is prevented from rattling by frictional contact, which is reduced to a minimum; and the degree of frictional pressure, as well as the tension of the roller-spring, is made capable of adjustment.

I am well aware that it is not new to use a pawl and ratchet in connection with a springroller; hence I do not claim, broadly, such invention.

lVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. The combination, with the curtain-roller A, threaded post D, square ratch'eted post C, and spring S,'of the shaft B, provided with screw end e and squared end e, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the shaft B, spring S, and curtain-roller A, of the circularly-channeled head b, having projecting face-ratchet a, inside pawl g, spring s, and the enlarged post-head c, having recesses e, spring-pand, and engaging-ange, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the embedded spring-pawl g and cylindrically-recessed spherA ical post-head c, of the circularly-channeled roller-head b and its central projecting faceratchet n, substantially as speciied.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. BEERS.

litnesses DAVID B. LocKwooD, CHARLES S. GANFIELD. 

